Pages

Mar 3, 2015

On 03-03-2015 at about 00:20 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from a victim at a residence located in the 2700 block of South Face Road, Island Mountain. The female victim reported her 34 year old son; Seth Robert Morton Sr. came into her residence this morning wearing a ski mask and attempted to assault her husband, who is Morton’s step farther.

The female and male victim both stated they were pepper sprayed by one of the (3) male suspects, who came onto their property. The male victim told the deputies he was able to get a baseball bat from inside of his residence and hit one of the suspects several times with the bat to protect himself and his wife. The male victim was able to chase the suspects out of his residence.

The victims said as the (3) suspects fled the property one of the suspects fired a round from a firearm and the bullet struck the residence. The (3) suspects then fled the scene driving a white, late 80’s, SUV. A local citizen who was aware of the situation attempted to block the road by parking his vehicle in the middle of the road. The suspect vehicle stuck the unoccupied vehicle which resulted in the suspect vehicle crashing off the Island Mountain Road. The three suspects then took off on foot. The Sheriff’s office has seized the vehicle for evidence.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’ Deputies along with the California Highway Patrol Officers immediately started searching the area for the three suspects. At day break a CHP helicopter from Redding assisted in the search for the suspects. At about 9:00 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received several telephone calls from concerned citizens in the area of Island Mountain about a male subject, dressed in dark clothing, who was hiding off the road near the New Harris Store. Deputies responded to the area and located 34 year old Bret Lawrence Swortzel. Deputies detained Swortzel and learned he had a no bail parole violation warrant issued for his arrest. Deputies were able to obtained evidence and were able to place Swortzel under arrest for the Home Invasion Robbery.

Deputies were able to identify a second subject in the Home Invasion Robbery as Seth Robert Morton Sr., age 31. Further described as a WMA, 5’-10”, blonde hair with hazel eyes. Deputies have requested a Be On the Lookout (BOL) for Morton with other law enforcement agencies for his arrest for the following charges: attempted homicide, burglary, brandishing a firearm, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of pepper spray and hit and run.

Bret Swortzel was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka on a no bail, parole violation warrant. Swortzel was also booked on fresh charges for home invasion robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, convicted felon in possession of pepper spray and possession of a controlled substance.

Deputies are currently on scene looking for the other two suspect associated with this case. At this time there is no description for the third suspect associated with this case.

On 03/02/15 at about 12:47 a.m., an Officer with the Eureka Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a 2015 Ford sedan at 5th and H Streets in Eureka, after observing the vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit.

The officer contacted the driver, Shane Michael Osborne, 37 and passenger Felipe Valencia, 26, both visiting from Florida. EPD’s drug detection K9, Maggie, was deployed and gave a positive alert for the odor of narcotics near the trunk of the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located nearly 50 pounds of processed marijuana packaged for sales and about two pounds of concentrated cannabis or “hash.” Osborne and Valencia were arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession of marijuana for sales and possession of concentrated cannabis.

Judson Stiglich was arraigned on information for his jury trial today in Courtroom 2. He was previously held to answer on all charges after the preliminary hearing. The charges are the same as the ones in preliminary hearing.

Both Judson Stiglich's mom and Ryan Robinson's mom were in court along with a few of Stiglich's family members.

Jury trial April 27 at 8:30 a.m.; Triail Readiness at 1 p.m. on April 22 and Trial Confirmation on April 7 at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 2.

Stiglich is being represented by Russ Clanton. The case is being prosecuted by DDA Stacey Eads.

The City of Eureka is pleased to announce a $3.8 million grant award from the State of
California Housing and Community Development (HCD) HOME Investment PartnershipsProgram funds for the development of “The Lodge at Eureka”, an affordable multi-family senior rental housing new construction project to be constructed at 424 8th Street in Eureka at the site of the former “Downtowner Motel”. This project is being developed by
Danco Communities for a total cost of $8.06 million, and will be financed with 4% tax
credits, public, and private financing. This development will assist the city in meeting the goals of providing 49 affordable housing units and one manager’s market rate unit within the city limits of Eureka. The purchase and sales agreement between the current property owner, Kevin McKenny and Danco Communities is currently in escrow.
The construction of the “The Lodge at Eureka” will convert a vacant 80 unit, two story, two building abandoned motel into a 49 unit affordable rental housing project serving seniors (age 55 and over) with household incomes between 35-60 percent of Humboldt County’s Area Median Income (AMI), or less than $24,180 maximum gross annual income for a household of one. Rents will range from $312 for a studio to $709 for a two bed-
room unit. The facility will consist of 15 units to be restricted to 60% of AMI, 22 units will be restricted to 50% of AMI, 8 units will be restricted to 45% of AMI, and 4 units will be
rThis project is to consist of a combination of demolition, new construction, and rehabilitation to construct
two buildings (with an addition to the smaller of the buildings), in addition to a new building that connects
the two buildings together. The development will consist of an elevator, laundry room, community room,
community kitchen, fitness room, picnic-BBQ area, pool, and Jacuzzi. The facility will also include storage
space, a service area, and leasing office space. Parking spaces will be at 57, with four handicapped spaces.
Ongoing discussions for the provision of potential on-site services will continue and interested service pro-
viders are encouraged to contact Danco properties. The Area 1 Agency on Aging and the Humboldt Sen-
ior Resource Center, as well as other local service providers, have offered services.
There is no anticipated relocation due to the abandoned motel status. This project will require Federal
Prevailing Wage compliance. A Marketing Study was performed by M.E. Shay & Company in June 2014.
The Environment Assessment is currently being prepared by Streamline Planning in Arcata in preparation
for the execution of the Standard Agreement anticipated in July 2015.
The project was taken before the City’s Design Review Committee on June 17, 2014, for Site Plan, Archi-
tectural Review, and Sign Permit, and was approved with conditions. The City will be able to draw down
funds when the State’s Standard Agreement is fully executed and all special conditions have been cleared in
writing by HCD. The City will then proceed with the implementation and execution of the loan docu-
ments between Danco and the City of Eureka.
The anticipated start of construction is late summer with construction to take approximately one year,
with the final occupancy permits tentatively available in mid to late 2016. City staff will be working with the
project applicant in the coming months as full construction documents are developed and submitted for
review. The aggressive project schedule will require close coordination to ensure required permits areestricted to 35% of AMI. The 50th unit is a larger, three bedroom on-site manager’s unit.
The project will consist of 8 studios, 36 one-bedroom units, 5 two-bedroom units, and 1
three-bedroom manager’s unit. Unit amenities include dishwasher, disposal, refrigerator, range, and laundry hook-ups. The project site is located near the historic downtown section of Eureka, with a medical facility, public transportation, pharmacy, and a senior center
within one-tenth of a mile. Shopping and other services are available within one-quarter to one-half mile of the project.

This project is to consist of a combination of demolition, new construction, and rehabilitation to construct
two buildings (with an addition to the smaller of the buildings), in addition to a new building that connects
the two buildings together. The development will consist of an elevator, laundry room, community room,
community kitchen, fitness room, picnic-BBQ area, pool, and Jacuzzi. The facility will also include storage
space, a service area, and leasing office space. Parking spaces will be at 57, with four handicapped spaces.
Ongoing discussions for the provision of potential on-site services will continue and interested service providers are encouraged to contact Danco properties. The Area 1 Agency on Aging and the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, as well as other local service providers, have offered services.
There is no anticipated relocation due to the abandoned motel status. This project will require Federal Prevailing Wage compliance. A Marketing Study was performed by M.E. Shay & Company in June 2014.
The Environment Assessment is currently being prepared by Streamline Planning in Arcata in preparation for the execution of the Standard Agreement anticipated in July 2015.
The project was taken before the City’s Design Review Committee on June 17, 2014, for Site Plan, Architectural Review, and Sign Permit, and was approved with conditions. The City will be able to draw down
funds when the State’s Standard Agreement is fully executed and all special conditions have been cleared in writing by HCD. The City will then proceed with the implementation and execution of the loan documents between Danco and the City of Eureka.
The anticipated start of construction is late summer with construction to take approximately one year,
with the final occupancy permits tentatively available in mid to late 2016. City staff will be working with the
project applicant in the coming months as full construction documents are developed and submitted for review. The aggressive project schedule will require close coordination to ensure required permits are issued in a timely manner.

Mar 2, 2015

The defense had already requested a brief continuance once due to "issues with discovery" and now they want another continuance in the Jason Arreaga case, the suspect in the double murders committed in Fieldbrook. Arreaga is being represented by Public Defender Heidi Holmquist. DDA Zach Curtis is prosecuting the case.

Judge John Feeney granted the defense motion after DDA Zach Curtis told the Judge that he had given "a lot of discovery to Ms. Holmquist" today and that there needed to be some "discussion" between the People and the defense.

There had been a suggestion to set a disposition and reset hearing in 60 says and so May 4 at 2 p.m. is the next court hearing. At that time Ms. Holmquist said the parties "would have a more realistic date" for jury trial. Present trial assignment date of March 6 and jury trial of March 9 were vacated.

Please read previous post for background and there are several posts on this case that can be accessed through the search feature on this blog.

Limmie Curry, charged with the murder of William Reid, has been tried once. His current jury trial has been continued both by defense and prosecution. Today, a trial readiness conference was scheduled for a jury trial scheduled for March 9. DDA Kelly Neel is prosecuting; Public Defender Casey Russo is representing Curry.

Judge John Feeney asked the attorneys if they were ready. Ms. Neel requested that trial readiness be continued until late Thursday and then the attorneys approached the bench. Mr. Russo was in agreement. Both Ms. Neel and Mr. Russo had spoken outside the courtroom before the case was called. While dates remain set for now, trial assignment at 8:30 on March 6 and Jury trial for March 9; with the late trial assignment, it is possible that there be another delay.

Trial readiness is scheduled for March 5 around 3:30 in Courtroom 1. While the attorneys were at the bench with Judge John Feeney, I saw Judge Feeney say something about a defense expert. Hopefully my lip reading skills were accurate. Mr. Russo spoke with Curry briefly after speaking with the Judge.Previous post:

Silverio Parro Snider Sanchez (DOB: 12-09-93) was booked into the jail on 3/1 for assault and possession of a controlled substance. As of 0840 hours, he remains in custody. (Given the nature of his charges, he may be eligible for release.)

The OTHER Silverio Parro Snider Sanchez (DOB: 01-23-91) has been in the HCCF since May 2014 on serious charges and he remains in custody.

BENCH WARRANT PC242, Possession of Controlled Substance Saturday, Feb. 2811:55 p.m.With all the court cases going on, I admit I did not follow this one. I did not expect him to be released?Previous HCSO release;

Based upon their investigation, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have been able to identify Silverio Parro Snider Sanchez, 22 years old from Eureka, as being responsible for the intentional assault of a United States Forest Service Law Enforcement Agent on March 15th, 2014. Detectives are in the process of requesting a warrant for Sanchez’s arrest. Detectives are requesting charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading a police officer, and a variety of other charges. Sanchez is currently wanted on five other outstanding felony and misdemeanor arrest warrants. Those warrants include charges of rape, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, vandalism, drugs, and battery.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service, United States Forest Service, Trinity County Sheriff’s Office and Fortuna Police Department are requesting the public’s help in locating Sanchez, who is considered to be armed and dangerous. If you see him, call 911. He has connections to the Ruth Lake, Fortuna, Eureka, and Rio Dell communities.

There is reward money available for information leading to Sanchez’s arrest.